National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a major reduction in the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, offering significant relief to intending pilgrims across the country.
In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, Hajiya Fatima Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at NAHCON, confirmed the downward review following extensive consultations with stakeholders and approval from relevant authorities.
According to the new pricing structure, pilgrims from Maiduguri/Yola Zone will now pay ₦7,579,020.96 instead of ₦8,118,033.67, those from the Northern Zone will pay ₦7,696,769.76 down from ₦8,244,813.67, while the Southern Zone fare has been reduced to ₦7,991,141.76 from ₦8,561,013.67.
Usara explained that the revised fares were calculated using an exchange rate of ₦1,443 per dollar, resulting in a reduction of ₦539,013, ₦548,043.91, and ₦569,871.91 for the respective zones.
She further advised intending pilgrims to complete their payments by December 5, to allow for timely transfers to NAHCON’s IBAN account before Saudi Arabia’s final deadline.
“The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has fixed December 21 as the closing date for all payments related to basic services contracts and has made it clear that there will be no extension,” she stated.
Usara also emphasized that due to time constraints and payment processing durations—which could take up to two weeks—early payment was crucial to avoid disqualification.
She added that during a Monday meeting, NAHCON announced the cancellation of previous slot allocations to states. Going forward, slots will be allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, giving priority to states that remit their Hajj fares early.
The Chairman of the Forum of States, Alhaji Idris Almakura, urged his colleagues to conclude ongoing engagements in Saudi Arabia swiftly and return home to mobilize prospective pilgrims.
Almakura underscored the urgency of meeting the Saudi deadline, stressing that timely action was vital for Nigeria to secure its full quota for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
